Invest Your Life

In the last few days before Jesus’ execution, his followers wanted to know what the signs of His return and the end of the world were. They had finally figured out that Jesus was leaving, but they didn’t understand that he was going to die and then return in the future. Jesus enumerated various signs and world events that would occur before his return. Because of the turmoil occurring in the world today, people are wondering and asking if the events are part of the signs that Jesus delineated. What I find interesting about Jesus’ talk with the disciples is the two parables that he taught while answering the disciples’ questions about the signs and the end of the world. Jesus was obviously trying to make a point through the parables. He was aiming to focus their attention. The first parable (Matthew 24:1-13) is about Ten Bridesmaids. There are details about Jewish weddings that are important for fully understanding the parable. Explaining the details would make this blog too long, and many would go on to the next thing on their FB page before finishing. The salient points are that the bridegroom took longer than the ten bridesmaids expected. Five of the bridesmaids were ready for the delay and five were not, they hadn’t taken enough oil for their lamps. (In 21st century lingo, the batteries died in their flashlights.) Jesus ended the parable with words you and I should take to heart: “Keep watch! You don’t know the day or hour of my return.” The second and longer parable (Matthew 24:14-30) is the Parable of Talents. In this parable, a landowner was going on a long trip. He gave into the care of three servants varying amounts of money. Two of the servants invested the money and earned for the master a return on the investment. The third servant hid the money left in his care in the ground, failing to invest and earn a return. Jesus interpreted the parable for the disciples with the line “to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given.” Combined, the message of these two parables is a challenge for every follower of Jesus. Be ready, you don’t know when I will return! While I’m gone, “use well” what I have given you. I’m expecting a return on my investment in your life. Don’t bury what I’ve given you in the ground, invest it!

The Otherness of God

In my personal Bible time, I’ve been reading through the book of Job. Job’s story has been an example and an encouragement throughout the centuries for millions. There are some tough events in the book of Job. Losing loved ones to calamity, losing life, property and health rock Job to the core. If you’ve never read slowly through the account of Jobs life, do so as soon as you can. Through the events and the subsequent wrestling with others and God, he gained a new understanding of the incomparable nature of God. There are no comparisons that clarify the otherness of God. Some have suggested that the otherness of God is like the difference between a person and an ant. Though a brilliant contrast, it falls infinitely short of the difference between God and people. Theologians use the word “transcendence” to describe God’s otherness. Transcendence describes the truth that God is not restrained by time, space, or physical laws. God is separate from His creation. He is not dependent on creation. God’s transcendence doesn’t mean that He is removed from creation. Theologians use the word “immanence” to describe God’s involvement in the lives of people. Though God is completely “other.” He is intimately involved in every aspect of His creation. He does not sleep, he knows the hairs on every one of the 7.5 billion people on the planet and He knows when a sparrow falls from the sky. As Job wrestled with the hardships of life and attempted to understand God’s actions, some of what he learned left him shaking. Job told a friend attempting to console him, “The Almighty terrifies me.” (Job 23:16 NCV) To a friend attempting to console him, he said, “I know that my Defender lives, and in the end I will stand upon the earth. … I will see him myself; I will see him with my very own eyes. How my heart wants that to happen.” (Job 19:25-27 NCV) Job was describing the tension of the “transcendence” and the “immanence” of God. He is completely “other” yet personally involved in our lives. God “transcendence” and His “immanence,” His otherness and personal involvement in His creation enables me to trust Him completely. As you read the Scripture in 2021, look for God’s otherness and His intimacy.

In God We Trust

After my morning run on January 6th, I joined with others from SWAG for a time of prayer on Zoom. Much of the time praying concentrated on the country, the rallies in Washington, DC and across the country. We prayed against violence, property damage and loss of life. We prayed that God would speak to his followers at the rallies to act and react honorably. Unfortunately, our prayers were not answered the way I had hoped. As the morning unfolded, my heart broke as I watched the events unfold in Washington, DC. Not since 1812 has the nation’s capital experienced anything like yesterday’s tragic events. Protestors defiled the space where every president has given their State of the Union address, laws have been made, wars have been declared and heroes of our country have laid “in-state.” Many of you have visited the Capital and experienced the sacred space that was violated. The debate over who the protestors were, and their motives will extend long into the future. In my mind, it doesn’t matter who they were or their motives, the desecration of the Capital yesterday is one of the saddest days our country has experienced in my lifetime. If God was involved in the formation of America, and I believe that He was, tears were streaming down his face. I believe God wept yesterday. Followers of Jesus must concentrate on obeying the truths of Scripture. We need to repent of shameful attitudes and, speaking words that bring death instead of life. We must focus on loving our neighbors and our enemies, praying for our leaders, our country, and standing against the forces of darkness that provoke evil. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalms 20:7 NIV) Follower of Jesus, will you turn from trusting in “red and blue chariots and horses” and trust in God? Will you live like you are trusting God? Will you speak like you are trusting God? Will you pray like you are trusting God? Will you love others like you are trusting God? The legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government will not redeem the shameful conduct of 2020 and the unimaginable events of yesterday. What “the enemy meant for evil, God can use for good.“ (Gen. 50:20: See the story of Joseph from Genesis 45-50, if you are not familiar with this verse.) God will only be able to work redemption if the followers of Jesus respond like Joseph the patriarch did almost 4,000 years ago. If Joseph had not responded as he did, with integrity and forgiveness, God would not have used what was meant for evil to bring about a good outcome. Jesus called the church the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The country will putrefy, and the world will continue to slide into darkness if followers of Jesus lose their saltiness and hide the light! Be as the salt, be the light, be Jesus to this lost and decaying nation. Matt